To the Bishops of Sardinia, on Obedience to Their Metropolitan

Gregory to Vincentius, Innocentius, Marinianus, Libertinus, Agatho and Victor, bishops of Sardinia.

We have learned that it is the custom of your island for you, after the paschal festival, to go or to send your representatives to your metropolitan, and for him, whether you know the date or not, to give you directions in a written announcement about the following Easter. And it is reported that some of you, neglecting to do this as custom requires, are leading the hearts of others astray into disobedience as well. It is added also that some of you, when you go overseas about cases that concern your churches, venture to travel without the knowledge of your metropolitan, or without letters from him, as canonical order requires. We therefore urge your fraternity to keep to the custom of your churches, both in the announcement of Easter and also, if need should compel any of you to travel anywhere on business of your own, by asking leave of your metropolitan, according to the rule laid on you. There is one exception: if, as we hope will not happen, you should have a case against your metropolitan, then those who are in haste on that account to seek the judgment of the Apostolic See are free to do so, as you know is allowed in the canons, by the ordinance even of the ancient fathers. [a]